What is Mental Illness?Mental illness is a clinically significant behaviour or psychological (to do with the mind) disorder that is associated with distress or disability. It is not just the way someone responds to a particular event nor is it limited to the way a person interacts with society.

A mental illness can continuously or intermittently (occasionally) affect our capacity for speech, language, mood, affect, thoughts, perceptions, insight, judgement, cognition (understanding) and volition (ability to make choices). It can limit our ability to function as society would normally expect of us and can put us and others at risk.

Mental illness is therefore, a broad term that covers problems ranging from minor to severe disorders.

Who is a Psychiatrist?

A ‘psychiatrist’ is a doctor who, after basic medical qualifications, receives further training and develops the expertise to become a ‘specialist’ in identifying symptoms of, and diagnosing and treating, mental illnesses. You may have been referred to a psychiatrist if your doctor feels you need specialist help.

See below under 'Consultants' for the psychiatrists who work at Practice 92.

Who is a Psychologist?

A psychologist is a non-medical specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, abnormal behaviour and psychiatric problems. They provide psychological evaluation, assessment, testing and treatment for people experiencing mental or emotional problems. The psychologist can also reduce the psychological distress suffered by people who are adjusting to a medical diagnosis, recovering from surgery or managing pain and chronic illness as well as improve treatment outcomes (for example recovery after a heart attack or surgery).

A psychotherapist assists clients to increase their self-awareness and emotional growth. They can enable clients to make sense of their personal history and family ties, significant past events and to notice repeating patterns. Psychotherapy can assist in healing past hurts, overcoming the negative effects of trauma, deficit or loss. It can improve intimate relationships, enable clients to navigate life transitions and negotiate developmental challenges.

Hours

8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday (depending on Practitioner)Late nights Monday to 8pm and Tuesday to 7 pm (by arrangement depending on Practitioner)Closed Saturday and SundayAnswer phone service

Procedures / Treatments

ACC Assessments and Treatment

ACC funds psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists to undertake a variety of tasks in assessment and rehabilitation. At Practice 92 psychologists and psychiatrists are available to undertake general and neuro-psychological (child and adult) assessments for clients who have had mental stress associated with an accident. Psychologists and psychotherapists at Practice 92…
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Chronic Illness

Chronic Pain Management

Depression

Drug & Alcohol Abuse

Family Court Work

Psychologists and psychotherapists at Practice 92 undertake both counselling and assessment work for the Family Court. The Family Court provides funded counselling for adults, parents and children in certain circumstances. Practice 92 practitioners specialise in working with children and in working with conflicted family systems. Psychologists at Practice 92 also…
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Fibromyalgia

Neuropsychology

Pain

Personality Disorder

Personality disorders are mental disorders characterised by an enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture. The pattern is manifest in the individual's cognitive distortions, problems with emotions and emotional regulation, poor interpersonal functioning and difficulties with impulse control. Treatment is…
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Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects about 1% of the general population.…
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Sex Therapy

Sleep and Insomnia Clinic

Dr Tony Fernando is our Sleep and Insomnia Specialist at Practice 92 in Mt Eden. At present we do have a long waiting list but we also offer cancellations if you are flexible and can come at short notice. …
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Travel Directions

Directions from the North Shore:

Head onto NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH 1) and continue until you see Gillies Avenue exit signposted. Take the Gillies Avenueoff ramp and turn left. Then continue straight until Khyber Pass Road and turn left. Continue on Khyber Pass Road until the traffic lights with Symonds Street and turn left. Short distance to traffic lights with Mt Eden Road and bear left onto Mt Eden Road. Continue for 0.58 km, turn left onto EDWIN STREET 0.03 km then turn left into driveway and parking is at the rear of building.